Slaughter Announces ShotSpotter
Program in Installation Phase

New Technology Will Dramatically Reduce Police Response Time to Gun Crime

Washington, DC - Rep. Louise M. Slaughter (D-Fairport), Ranking Member of the House Rules Committee, announced today that that the cutting-edge ShotSpotter program for the City of Rochester has entered the installation phase. By significantly reducing police response times to the scenes of crimes committed using guns, the Program will act to deter potential criminals from committing deadly acts, and to help detain those who have already done so.

"In the wake of the recent wave of violent shootings in Rochester, it is important for the people of Rochester to know that help is on the way and that action is being taken to try and reduce the threat of gun violence on our city streets," Rep. Slaughter said.

"The ShotSpotter project is now entering the installation phase, and I have assurances from the Rochester Police Department that the installation will be done in a facilitated and timely manner," she continued. "However, it must be clearly understood that the technology behind this program is sophisticated and complex and that installation may take some time." 

"We are very pleased and excited about the Shotspotter Technology in our community," said Cedric L. Alexander, Rochester's Chief of Police. "It will undoubtedly be a helpful piece of technology in our fight against crime."

The introduction of ShotSpotter to Rochester is the result of a 2005 Justice Department earmark which Rep. Slaughter secured.

BACKGROUND

The ShotSpotter Gunshot Location System is comprised of three primary components: acoustic sensor modules located in the target area, a base computer station located in a police dispatch center, and software that monitors all channels for gunshot sounds and then uses data gathered to calculate the location of a recorded shot. About eight acoustic sensor modules are required to cover a square mile area.

In June of 1997, the ShotSpotter System was tested in Redwood Village in Redwood City, California. 32 locations were randomly selected from where blank rounds would be discharged. ShotSpotter was able to detect the location of nearly 80 percent of test shots, almost always within a median margin of error of 25 feet.

The system costs $150,000 for the first square mile and an additional $100,000 to $120,000 for each additional square mile of coverage. It has received supportive press of late, and was the subject of a positive August 17^th article in the New York Times which discussed ShotSpotter's recent success in East Orange, New Jersey.